As school districts and states grapple with a variety of issues related to fully staffing schools, a disturbing new trend is emerging. Many school districts are now contracting with staffing firms to fill positions. Now you might think, that’s great. Hire a specialist to find the best talent. But, that’s not what’s happening.
Companies like Maryland’s Maxim Healthcare are hiring teachers and placing them in schools around the country. Did you read the previous sentence carefully? Companies like Maxim Healthcare are hiring teachers … not the schools.
Why would this be a problem?
For parents, these contractors are ultimately responsible to Maxim. They’re Maxim employees, and contractors at their school site. This adds a layer of complexity when dealing with any contentious issues that may arise.
For the teachers, they’re corporate workers … not public employees. Most will not be able to access the public employee pension systems in their state. Neither will they be able to qualify for the public service relief of their students loans. The corporations are offering better wages and benefits to attract talent, but access to important programs and services are cut off by this contractual relationship.
For students, these contractors may not be as flexible and accommodating as a school employee in delivering services. Teachers often go above and beyond their brief. As public servants, we’re often arriving early and staying late to make sure our kiddos are well sorted. Teachers in the US generally work 10 hours per day, whilst being paid for only 6. A contractor’s corporate bosses will look to maximize profits, and thus may limit contact hours to the bare minimum. Would a contractor willingly forgo overtime? Would a corporation allow a contractor to work unpaid overtime? I doubt it.
Lest you think I’m joking, go to your local job board. Go to LinkedIn. Search for special education jobs. How many are corporate staffing listings? How many are posted directly by school districts? There used to be zero listing from staffing firms.
What do you think about this? Who benefits?
— December 16, 2023 Note —
Some of the materials herein have made it into my books, No Place for Autism? and Holistic Language Instruction. No Place for Autism was released in February 2023 from Lived Places Publishing and is available at Amazon and other major book retailers worldwide. Holistic Language Instruction will be out in 2024.